NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Visit the old honky-tonks of this country-music capital and fans here are already sizing up their unbeaten Tennessee Titans against the defending- champion Giants in the Super Bowl.

It is too much to ponder right now for ex-Giants quarterback Kerry Collins, one of the NFL’s magical stories this season. The 35-year-old veteran shockingly has resurfaced to guide Tennessee to a 9-0 record after taking over for the physically and mentally ailing phenom Vince Young.

Collins spent five sweet years with the Giants, started 67 straight games and rehabbed a reputation tattered by a drinking problem, losing the “Vodka Collins” moniker. Collins led the Giants to the 2000 Super Bowl but stunk out Tampa Stadium with four interceptions in a 34-7 rout vs. the Ravens.

Now, four years after the Giants discarded him for then rookie Eli Manning, Collins and Manning’s Giants are on a collision course for another Super Bowl in Tampa. Collins’ Titans may first have to get through the Jets, whom they play next Sunday in Nashville and possibly in the AFC playoffs.

“If I ever get back there again, the only thing I’ll be thinking about is trying to redeem myself from the last one,” Collins said in the Titans locker room Friday. “I didn’t play very well.”

All these years later, the hurt is still in Collins’ voice when he discusses his Giants departure after the 2003 season. He still feels former GM Ernie Accorsi couldn’t wait to get rid of him, selecting Manning and asking Collins to restructure his contract. Collins refused and asked to be waived.

“It was difficult,” Collins said. “I was disappointed. I was bitter for a time after that. I felt like I gave them some good years. I still had the ability to be a winning quarterback there. But they made a decision. It bothered me for a time and I dealt with it and moved on.”

Asked about a specific incident that annoyed him most, Collins said, “You mean other than the fact they decided to replace me?”

Collins’ beard is mostly gray now, but he’s proved there’s no gray in his game. He was set to retire after the season, no longer willing to serve as Young’s insurance policy. Collins replaced Young after he injured his knee in the opener amid reports he was severely depressed.

“It’s hard to do what we’ve done week in and week out,” Collins said. “Our confidence builds with every win. But if we start looking too far ahead in the future, we’ll be some sad guys around here.”

The nation is finally recognizing the Titans as the AFC’s team to beat following their 21-14 win over Chicago on Sunday, when Collins threw for 279 yards and two TDs. It took a while. Playing in among the league’s smallest markets doesn’t help.

“It’s night and day from New York,” Collins said.

Friday, there were more New York writers (two) in the Titans’ locker room than Nashville media (one).

“The thing about us, we’re not real flashy,” Collins said. “We don’t throw for a lot of yards. We don’t put huge numbers up, but we find ways to win. It’s not as sexy as throwing for 400 yards every week, but I think people after last week are starting to take more notice.”

Before Collins can get to Manning, he may have to topple Brett Favre.

“I think Brett’s done a tremendous job,” Collins said. “With that offseason, coming in training camp, to handle what comes along with a move like that, it’s a lot different than he experienced in Green Bay, the added scrutiny.”

And Collins believes the Giants might be waiting for him in Tampa.

“They picked up where they left off,” Collins said. “Historically teams have let down after that. Give them a lot of credit.”